There’s no question that if there had to be a remake of Judwaa, it had to have Varun Dhawan. The more important question is – did there really have to be a remake of Judwaa in the first place?

I’m going with two out of five. I laughed a few times.

Judwaa 2, like the original, isn’t a piece of art, in fact it’s mediocre, but it’s that one film which may lift your mood. At 149-minutes, this slapstick comedy has some really laugh-worthy moments.

Varun can do action, comedy, romance, dance, look queer, yet in all of these it’s also very apparent that he’s faking it, pretending.

Varun does the best he can. But it is like the orange jeans he wears, resembling Salman’s in Judwaa. Only this one is ripped in places. 

For all those who live, breathe and eat David Dhawan’s style of filmmaking, Judwaa 2 will surely make you happy and feel proud about your idol. Secondly, the film is a must watch for all the zillion plus fans (mostly Gen-Next) of Varun Dhawan. Judwaa 2 surely has the potential to grow big majorly through the word of mouth publicity, whose catalysts will be the college going crowd, for whom, missing a Varun Dhawan film is an unpardonable sin! But, for the rest of the gang, watching the original Judwaa a thousand times over will serve you more good.

…even Varun Dhawan ‘s high-octane performance which includes many digs at the film industry can’t hide how David Dhawan’s idea of funny is loud, sexist, mostly cringe-worthy and frankly too outdated.

All said and done, I conclude by recollecting the scene from the movie’s climax where Salman khan makes his grand cameo in a double role. Both the judwaas – Salman and Varun make a jig at ‘tan tana tan tan tan tara’, Varun says very good and asks Salman to do it once again, Salman Khan obliges, Varun asks for ‘tibara’ (third time) Salman Khan disappears.. TAN TANA TAN TAN TAN TARA..kya kare Varun bechara..

It’s funny in parts, but meanders in the second half. As one of the tracks goes: Chalti hai kya nau se barah? It’s your call.

Footnote: The Censor Board asked Dhawan to remove a shot of Lord Krishna dancing and playing the saxophone in the song Suno Ganpati BappaMorya. It is clear from their directive that they have not understood the ABC of the playful down-to-earthness that is the hallmark of Hindu mythology.

Judwaa 2 is louder and bigger and bolder and Varun Dhawan may not be Salman Khan, but he holds his own, both as Prem and Raja. Fun watch for the younger generation.

Judwaa 2 is not a great comedy but it is an engaging entertainer with some laughs and a sort of warm goofiness.

I’d like to state upfront that I am clearly not a part of this film’s target audience because I’ve never liked slapstick. But over the years, I have realised the core of why I don’t like them. I don’t find people insulting others, funny. And a lot of Judwaa 2’s humor relies on exactly that. Insult the obese, insult the colored, insult the women, insult those with speech defects – to name a few. I am sure the intention is not to insult but to bring laughs. But that insults bring laughs is a premise I have never understood.

…a glitzy music video or a cameo by the original star of Judwaa, Khan, can’t make up for a flawed comedy.
Watch this at your own risk.

You won’t be missing much if you miss Judwaa 2. It certainly doesn’t do justice to the original film and is definitely not one of the best performances from Varun Dhawan. If you still feel like watching it for the sake of nostalgia, there’s the original Judwaa on television at 7 pm today. Watch that instead.

An old man on a wheelchair has an oxygen mask. Raja feels choked and gasps for breath. He snatches the poor man’s mask and helps himself. The old man starts jumping in his seat. If you did not find that funny, stay away from Judwaa 2. If you found that hilarious, then consult a doctor.